It was the last chance, and both of them knew it.

"I have to do it, Sakura-chan," Naruto said, and summoned up two kage buunshin. "It's the only way."

"No!" Sakura grabbed his arm. "You've already used rasen-shuriken too many times. If you use it again—"

Naruto turned and smiled at her, softly, sadly. "I know. But this is the only way to save the village. I have to."

"But—but what about your dream? You can't become Hokage if you can't use chakra any more."

"It's more important to act like a Hokage then to be one."

"But—"

He rounded on her. "Don't you understand, Sakura? If I don't do this people are going to die! I think their lives are more important than—than some silly dream!"

"Naruto…" She trailed off as she looked at a face so much like the ones carved into the mountain above their heads. Naruto's eyes held the same fierce determination as theirs.

"I've got to go, Sakura-chan."

Sakura glanced again at the Hokage on the mountain. She looked at Yondaime, and realisation flashed on her face as she remembered something. "Wait! Naruto!"

"I told you, Sakura—"

"No, that's not it! Naruto, it's Yondaime's seal! It's—it's deteriorating. Tsunade-sama told me. The only thing sealing the kyuubi inside you is your own chakra. Naruto, if you lose your chakra, the kyuubi will take over your body and you'll lose yourself!"

Naruto stopped and turned back, his buunshin disappearing from his sides. His shoulders slumped. "But then… Sakura-chan, what can we do?" He thought for a moment. "Is there anyone who could seal Kyuubi back inside me?"

Sakura shook her head. "Naruto, the only one outside of Akatsuki with enough chakra is you."

Naruto walked painfully back to her. "Then what can I do? If I don't kill Pein, Akatsuki will destroy Konoha, and to kill Pein I need rasen-shuriken!"

Sakura pressed her eyes shut, thinking. "Wait, Naruto. There is—there is one other person who could…"

"Who?" His eyes widened. "Who could seal it?" Sakura was silent. "Sakura, tell me!"

"Sasuke."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed. "Well, that's not very helpful."

"Naruto." Sakura's eyes blazed. "Go. Kill Pein. Save Konoha. I'll find Sasuke, and I swear I'll bring him back. Do you think… after you use rasen-shuriken, could you still control the kyuubi, just for a while longer?"

"Yes," he said. "But Sakura-chan…"

She smiled boldly. "Don't worry Naruto. I will bring Sasuke back. It's the promise of a lifetime."

"Sakura… thank you."

As Naruto turned his back, two buunshin appeared beside him. He turned towards Pein, and Sakura turned towards Sasuke. They both turned their backs to each other, and ran towards Konoha's future.